Beloveds at Home

     I have just been to the Post Office thinking possibly there might be a letter for me from home. I recd one from Sarah Ann [i.e., the author's daughter, Sarah Ann Pugh (b. 1835/6)], at noon, day before yesterday -- dated June 30.
Since I last wrote, we have had several very nice rains which has revived the very much improved the appearance of things in general, especially the grass, and shrubbery: before the rain came every thing was so covered with dust, one could scrarcely tell what it was like. When the rain ran from the roof of our Office building &c (which is five stories high) it looked like water from a gutter, twas so muddy.
I think I shall chang my place of boarding on second day evenng -- to Mrs Gobeys. I will at that time have been two weeks with Mrs Williams. I have not said any thing to her yet about it. In many respects it is greatly inferior to Mrs Gs, and in no particular is it equal. I do not know yet know what excuse or reason I will

give her for making the change -- as I now have the room & bed to myself. the young man with whom I slept for a few nights after coming here is now sleeping at the Drug Store where he is Employed. there are at this time three others here, two of those, sleep some where els and one here. There are however, two others here a part of the time, Lt Prince, went home yesterday on short leave & Lt Clark has been gone several days with a detachment of men for Charleston va, how long he will be absent I know not.
D^r Stanton got a letter from Cuthbertson some days since giving an account of Joe Hoops [i.e., Pvt. Joseph M. Hoopes, Co. C, 63rd Pennsylvania Infantry] & Charley Miller [i.e., Pvt. Charles W. Miller, Co. C, 63rd Pennsylvania Infantry] being killed. I was very sorry to hear of Joes death; it was no doubt a severe stroke on his father -- particularly: the family have my deepest Sympathy. Cutherbertson also mentioned that it had been reported that Evan was also killed, but was not believed -- this the Dr did not mention to me. After getting Sarah Anns letter, I told the D^r & he then read to me, what Cuthbertson had written. I hope the report may prove to be altogether groundless. but we cannot tell

they have no doubt been very much exposed to the fire of the enemy for the past few weeks and seen some severe fighting: but I have no fear as to the final result of the conflict. The cause of the Rebels is an unholy one, and can not therefore succeed.
     I thought a good deal of going home yesterday to spend the 4th with you -- but it costs about $14 to make the round trip And that added to 5$ a week for boarding makes a pretty big hole in a months pay.
     There was no decution made for the time I was absent before. I am still in the Office but we are fully up with the copying. yesterday I copyed the doings of the day before.
The capt has not said anything about when they expect to begin to put up the buildings: they have been making door & window frames, here. I hope the time will soon come for a change. it may not be any better. if it is not -- good by Columbus. I will try and get home to see Cousin Ann D. when does she expect to be out. did John dress in his naval suit when home to shew grandmother.

I shall feel -- as you no doubt will also, very anxious to hear from the Army of the Potomac for some time to come, and in the event of your getting any intilligence in regard to Evan as well as others from our place, I hope you will lose no time in letting me know. I dreamed last night that Aunt Lydia had got over to our house to see us, Such a thing is not at all improbable I think If I was at home I would try and get her out rideing a little, I think it would do her good. And so Grandmother McCreary has got down. It is a long tim sinc I saw her, but it is no fault of hers -- but mine. I should have gone and seen her when I was at home.
Jack Townsend has been expecting to come here and spend a week or two -- but from thy letter I conclude he will not likely come. I am pleased to learn that Emma & the little M-a-r-y is it? are geting along so well. I suppose the strawberries are all done. We have had new potatoes, peas, beans, beets, raspberrys &c &c for some time past. (& cherry pie). I find the shirt I put on this morning will soon want a new collar it is breaking being starched stiff.
     With my best love to all will now close tell Aunt Lydia that when I come home again I will try and get her over to take tea with us if she is well enough

J. T. Pugh